Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-21

frantic mass crashed down the jagged rocks,
tearing up the stunted cedars az if they were
weeds, and fell with n sounding splash on the
limestone bed of the shallow creek
Fortner Glen and Edwards came down us
quickly as possible, the latter spraining his
ankle badly 10y making a venturesome leap to
reach the road first They found the man
that Fortner had shot at stone dead, with "A
bullet through his temple. The other two
had been struck in the body. Their horses
stood near, looking wonderingly at their
PROSTATE masters.
Bolton was rubbing his bruises and abra-
sions and vituperatng everything, from the
conduct of the war to the steepness of Ken
lucky mountains. Aunt Debby had partially
recovered from the stunning of her fall, and
limped slowly up, with her long riding skirt
raised by one hand. Her lips were com
pressed, and her great gray eyes blazed with
excitement
They all went to the side of the road and
looked down ut the crushed and bleeding mass
in the creek.
"My God that's awful" said Harry, with
a rising sickness about his heart, as the ex-
citement began subsiding.
"Plenty good enuf fur scoundrels who rob
poor men of all they hev," said Fortner,
tiercely, as he reloaded his rifle. Hits not
bad enuf fur thieves an robbers"
Hits Gods judgment on the wicked an
the oppressor,' said Aunt Debby, with solemn
pitilcssness.
Hadn't we better try to get down there,
and help those men out." suggested Harry.
"Perhaps they are not dead yet"
aunt Dcbby, thct thar boss thcts raisin'
his head an whinnyin'," said Fortner, with
sudden interest, "is Joel Spriggs roam geldin',
sho's yo're bon, honey" He pointed to where
shapcly head was raised and almost human
agony looked out Of great liquid eyes. Tibet
wuz the finest boss i'll Laurel county, am
they've stole i'm from Joel. llitU bout
break his heart fur he set powerful
sight O store on tibet ere beast. Pore critterl
hit makes me sick ter see i'm suffer thct-
"a way. I've "A mind ter put i'm outen his
misery, but I'm Altered | can't shoot i'm so
long cz he looks at me with them big pitiful
eyes o hisn They go right ter my heart"
"Youd better shoot him. urged Aunt
Debby. "Hit's n sin ter let an innercent crit
ter suffer tibet away
Fortncr raised his rifle, and sent a bullet
through the mangled brute's brain.
Aunt Dcbby's eyes became fixed on a point
where, mile away down the mountain, G
bend in the road was visible through al
opening in the trees
"Looh out, She said as the echoes of th'
shot. died nvoy. "thnr come, a hull To-
On ,c,n
They looked. and saw plainly a large suuac
of cavalry. vi,ha WAGON behind.
ave must Get outo;l heab. am tibet ouicl;
said Fortpcr, d,.i.iyclv. lie CAUGHT one o
the horses, and shortened stirrup to maxi
the saddle answer for Il side sad Ire. "Hcah
Aunt Dolby. Let me helm We llp honey. Nov
Bolton and Edwards. iii hclp We on these err
other critters Now sl.eet out ez fast ez tn
bosses leo, will tot, We Don't spar EN-
>, mite. Them f.llcr,u l-in We the DEVILS owl
chase ez soon ez they cit ho?h an s,e what
p bin done. Glen and nell 60 acrost tn
~ mounting. an head ,em Off on totAer side
:, Don't come back ef We heah shootin'. but kec
4 straight on. fur we kin take ger o. this crow
4 without ennv help Glen. YOU sasshay up tn
y, MOUNTING thar ez fast ez the Loro'I LET vf
:. I'll be arter We rich, snrvn
All sr.I away rs directod. FORMER ha
10 been loadin, hi, r,,n vyl,ile s,a,ain.- Uano,
= ramned Tho, bullet home ana 81. hdraw.in
h MS ralnmor walked over to the cliff besid
which the tcamster was covering.
II 80, Mister Former, don't kill me-pea,
don't" whincd the uckless man, gettln
awkwardly upon his knees and raising h
hands implolingly. Il Swar to God I'll ney,
- raise a hand agin a Union man agn eff ye'
10 only spar my life"
. Kill We, Pete Iloskns." said Former wit
uniathomable contempt "What consete y
" hev ter think yer wuth the powder an leaC
1t | hain't no bullets ter waste ON carron.'
ne lie struck the abject fellow couple {
o singing blows on the face with the ramro.
l. replaced it in the thimbiee, and Sprang up t.
n rocks just rs the head Of the cavalry appcare
II around the bend OF the road few rod, ava,
r Oy,rtaliing Harry shortly, he heard abol
= the same time the Coufodcrltcs on the rou
r. below strike into a trot
e, They know hit all now, he said AN he
"a started III chase Let's jog on lively, an <,
10 ter whar we kin head EN- Off"
~. Night had fallen in the meantime, but Il
-. full moon had risen immediately. making
=. almost II, light as day.
h After hall an hours fast walking. the tv
- Uniouists had cut across the long horsesh,